The Return of Neon: How This Old School Trend Made a Comeback

It has been almost a century since the first neon sign arrived in the U.S. from Paris, where the technology was first lit up in public. Neon signs took off between 1920 and 1960, most often lighting up hotels, bars, casinos, and other entertainment venues. Today, they show up just as often indoors, as part of a restaurant or store's interior design.

A Brief History of Neon Signs

The first neon sign was created by French engineer and inventor Georges Claude, who was the first to apply an electrical discharge to a tube of neon gas — creating the first neon lamp, displayed in Paris in 1910. Claude brought the technology to the United States in 1923, selling two neon signs to the Packard dealership in Los Angeles. It quickly became a popular method for outdoor advertising; people at the time called it “liquid fire.”

Neon signs are highly versatile. Glass tubes can be bent to form nearly any word or shape, making lively, colorful designs possible. Their visual appeal made them effective signage — easily recognizable at night, glowing in vivid color.

The Fall of Neon Signs

Eventually, a spread of poorly designed signage contributed to neon's decline. Large corporations withdrew their support, and many shops prioritized fast production over quality design. Maintenance of existing signs suffered along with the broader economy, and the arrival of cheaper plastic and LED signage added further pressure.

Still, the neon signs that survived show just how durable the technology is. A well-made neon tube can last around 40 years before it needs re-pumping with gas — and is good for another 40 after that. Across the country, old neon signs still light up the streets at night and are considered a form of American folk art.

And now, neon is making a bright comeback.

The Return of an Old American Folk Art

Neon signage is riding the current wave of retro-inspired design, helped along by newer, low-energy neon transformers. The look and feel of a genuine neon sign is distinct in a way LED alternatives have struggled to fully replicate, and with proper installation and quality components, neon can be just as safe as LED signage.

Neon restaurant signs, in particular, are growing in number. Modern versions go well beyond the utilitarian “Open,” “Closed,” or “Bar” block text of decades past, now favoring witty or inspirational phrases, often rendered in a handwritten typeface. These signs show up everywhere from casual restaurants to upscale destinations, lending a sense of warmth and history to a space.

Neon Signs and Social Media

Neon signs tend to photograph more beautifully than other forms of lighted signage — and in the Instagram era, that matters. How photogenic a space is has a real effect on its appeal: when a restaurant or store has an eye-catching element worth photographing, guests share it with their own audience, turning customers into unpaid marketers. A single well-placed neon sign can stand out among hundreds of thousands of similar images, generating real brand awareness in the process.

Neon Signs Across the Country

From New York to Las Vegas and beyond, new and newly restored neon signs continue to light up businesses, hotels, and restaurants, and people are falling for the look all over again — not just outdoors, but increasingly indoors as well. Neon is no longer seen as dated; instead, it evokes a certain retro energy that plenty of businesses are eager to embrace, connoting nightlife, excitement, and motion.

Get Inspiration at Las Vegas' Neon Museum

Many of the most famous neon signs in American history are no longer lit on the buildings they once advertised, but they haven't disappeared. The Neon Museum in Las Vegas houses a “boneyard” of retired signs that once lit up the city's streets and skyline. The signs on display are front-lit at night, though they no longer flicker or run on their original power.

Using projection mapping, the museum re-illuminates some of its most iconic pieces, creating an augmented-reality experience for visitors. Its North Gallery has featured rotating exhibits showcasing this technology.

Get a Neon Sign for Your Business

To the artisans who build them, neon signs are treated as more than signage — they're a genuine craft. A well-designed sign can become a landmark in its own right, giving a business a look that's instantly recognizable.

Ready to explore a custom sign for your own space? Request a quote from Neonific to get started.

Neon's comeback shows up in landmarks worldwide — see coolest neon signs around the world for some standout examples, or read about the benefits of custom neon signs if you're considering one for your own business.